Sikandar (2009 film)

Sikandar is a 2009 Indian crime drama film written and directed by Piyush Jha. The film features Parzan Dastur in the title role with R. Madhavan, Sanjay Suri and Ayesha Kapur in pivotal roles. The film has terrorism in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir as its backdrop. The film was known in its production stages as Foot Soldier. The film was released on 21 August 2009.

Plot
Sikandar Raza (Parzan Dastur) is a 14-year-old schoolboy in the Kashmir valley. Ever since his parents were killed by jihadis (militants) 10 years ago, he has lived with his aunt and uncle, in a small town called Kupwara in Kashmir valley. All Sikandar's desires revolve around the happiness of his foster parents and getting the ball into the goal on the football field.

One day, on his way to a school football match, Sikandar finds a gun lying on the path. Despite admonishments by his newly made school friend, 14-year-old Nasreen (Ayesha Kapur), Sikandar picks up the gun and begins a journey into the darker side of his nature. The quiet-yet-strong Nasreen becomes Sikandar's conscience keeper. She tries to dissuade him from giving in to the lure of the gun.

Sikandar gets embroiled further and further in situations beyond his control, and people get killed. At first it seems that the happenings occurring alongside Sikandar's predicament are not connected. But, as layer upon layer is revealed, it becomes clear that Sikandar is the innocent victim in a game being played out between the militants, the army, the peace-bartering politicians and the religious heads of the little Kashmiri town. The pieces of the puzzle come together at the very end, leading to a shocking revelation. The movie is a portrayal of moulding of child psychology, and the making of terrorists.

Filming
The film was shot at various locations, including Pahalgam, Uri and Anantnag areas.

Cast

 * Parzan Dastur as Sikandar Raza
 * Ayesha Kapur as Nasreen
 * R. Madhavan as Colonel Rajesh Rao
 * Sanjay Suri as Mukhtar Masoodi
 * Arunoday Singh as Zahageer Qadir
 * Rahul Singh as Captain Yashvardhan Singh

Reception
Nikhat Kazmi, film critic of the Times of India, gave it a 3.5 star rating.

Michelle Orange, film critic of The Village Voice, opined that Sikandar is "a Corking Narrative and Cognent Sketch of Violence".